There aren’t visions of sugar plums dancing in my head — more like creamy, delectable, consistent, and warm entrées, sauces, or sides customized and made easy for holiday service.
When I imagine my ideal seasonal celebrations, cozy is key. There’s a warm hearth, the glow of bright lights, and the aroma of enticing, bubbling comfort food that reminds me of my Nana’s cooking.
Everybody has their own way of embracing the holidays, but however you make merry, I’m guessing it includes some combination of genuine ingredients, trusted simplicity, and a lot of love. Incorporating items with more than 100 years of foodservice expertise can help you serve up holiday classics with the convenience and prep flexibility that’s a gift to any busy kitchen.
Make It Alfredo
With all of the cheesy comfort sauces available this time of year, Alfredo can get overlooked. And yet, the rich, incomparable smoothness of real cream combined with nutty Parmesan and aged Asiago has been turning heads and elevating dishes since Alfredo di Lelio was serving it tableside in Rome in the early 20th century.
Like scratch-made, but much simpler, a product such as Stouffer’s® Alfredo Sauce can be your secret weapon both front- and back-of-house. It’s made with real cream and cheese and no artificial flavors or preservatives — pouch-packaged for a thick, creamy, consistent quality that won’t break, thin, or change color in holding, heating, or recipe use. Bring it to me instead of figgy pudding because deck the halls, it is versatile!
Use it as the creamy base for a festive white Pear, Prosciutto, and Arugula Pizza or simply start to get side happy. For many consumers, seasonal sides are the real main event. Replace milk and cream for mashed potatoes; swap out eggs, milk, and cream for savory bread pudding; or add Stouffer’s Alfredo Sauce to frozen corn and cheese for a signature creamed corn. You can even combine a little chorizo, roasted poblano, scallions, and Alfredo for a zesty, party dip.
White Cheddar Wonderland
When crafting meals that take guests back to their childhood, it’s good to be backed by proven, time-honored recipes. Abraham E. Stouffer had been raised as a dairyman before expanding his popular milk stand into a downtown Cleveland restaurant in 1922. So, melty, tender mac & cheese is a big part of the Stouffer’s legacy.
Stouffer’s White Cheddar Mac & Cheese is crafted from a blend of exquisite cavatappi noodles and 9-month-aged white cheddar cheese. We’re talking heat-and-serve simplicity with the minimal waste and cross-application consistency that any bustling kitchen can use. And it’s incredible how white cheddar impacts consumers: According to research, guests may be willing to spend as much as $3 more for white cheddar — that can be a 27% menu price increase compared to other mac dishes.
Try it with a hint of indulgent Mexican flavor, stuffing a Bay Winds® Lobster Tail with the mighty mac, butter-poached lobster, smoky mezcal, and fresh lime for your version of Lobster Tail Mezcal Mac. Or dollop Ridgecrest® Brisket Burnt Ends, jalapeno cheese curds, crispy fried onions, and Kansas City-style BBQ sauce over Stouffer’s White Cheddar Mac & Cheese and fries for a Western take on poutine. Wild mushrooms, garlic, shallots, and onions can also be folded into the creamy white cheddar mac to create a hearty, yet elegant dish garnished with scallions and a light drizzle of truffle oil — a true harvest holiday treat.
Go Frozen
‘Tis the season for frozen! Frozen products are being gradually embraced as restaurants and consumers alike weigh value in their markets. In fact, operators are expecting to increase frozen product purchases by more than 15% in 2026.
Why? It’s just a different avenue for offering deliciousness simplified to your guests. Reduce labor time and waste with chef-crafted dishes that start in the Stouffer’s kitchen and arrive ready-to-serve and ready-to-love in yours.
Like warm, decadent lasagna — featuring 20% more meat and 20% more ricotta for authentic Italian flavor in every bite. Basil, herbs, and a garlic puree have been added for a richer, more vibrant, more homemade-style sauce. This classic dish can now also help you reduce cook time by 10 minutes — so it’s ready to customize with toppings and sides that fit your concept.
If your holiday wishlist includes quality, consistency, excellent hold times, and quick, easy preparation with generational satisfaction baked in, ready-to-plate items from trusted brands like Stouffer’s could be just the thing to ring in the season.
*Content provided in collaboration with Stouffer’s.